Executive MBA

What is an Executive MBA degree?
Join a group of business leaders like yourself — top minds from a range of industries and disciplines — and hone your management expertise in our modern academic environment.

What does "Executive MBA" mean?

The Executive MBA program at SMU Cox benefits are varied and tailored to the executive's needs while completing their MBA journey. Let's face it, the executive seeking an MBA is much different than the MBA candidate right out of undergrad. As such, we've shaped this program to be ideal for executives.

Designed for seasoned professionals
Cohort-style learning with a select group of like-minded peers
21 months, 5 semesters
On-campus program, alternating weekends, day Fridays and all-day Saturdays
Breakfast and lunch served on class weekends
Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Two entry terms, Spring and Fall (January and August)

Take the first step:

Contact us directly or attend a Graduate Admissions Event, as we would like to meet you. Introduce yourself, share your professional goals and ask your questions. You can reach out directly to Jamie Fuller, Director of Admissions, Executive MBA at jafuller@smu.edu or 214-768-3048. Or you can schedule time using this calendar: .

The Advantage of SMU Cox: A Top Executive MBA Program

Choosing to pursue an MBA isn't a decision taken lightly. You make that move knowing it'll generate that career shift, increase your earning potential, and skyrocket your trajectory. But, you understand the commitment will require a pivot of your time in the short-term. Our Executive MBA program is built for folks like you. You're balancing your work, family, and new ventures—it's time to join a cohort and built-in network that's on the same path you are. The SMU Cox EMBA is highly-ranked (#35 in the nation), and it sets you apart from colleagues who pursue degrees elsewhere.

Interested in seeing how it's really done?

An Experience That's Built for Success

You have responsibilities at work and at home. And as a candidate for the powerhouse Cox Executive MBA degree, you'll have academic responsibilities to yourself and your peers. Everything about your experience as an Executive MBA student at SMU Cox will help you push your limits in the classroom while you forge ahead in your career.

Networking events with other Cox School MBA students.
A tight community of peers and faculty.
A class schedule that's easy on work and personal life.
Video-recorded classes that give you flexibility and a reference for study review.
Full access to the Career Management Center as well as all Cox Centers and Institutes
A strong support system for you and your family.
A Cox Insights Forum to address the particular insights needs/curiosities of executives

EMBA vs. MBA: What's the Difference?

An Executive MBA differs from a traditional MBA in its cohort and its learning style. Put simply, your cohort is made up of folks just like yourself who have excelled in their careers and are looking for that next step up. An MBA is accessible to most everyone pursuing this degree; an Executive MBA is made for executives and has criteria to be met before acceptance.

As well, you'll be in classes with true peers. You'll be spending the bulk of your time on campus at the James M. Collins Executive Education Center, which was built in 2005 to serve as the academic and social hub for the EMBA program — a setting for learning and collaboration. The center has everything you'll need right at hand, from high-tech classrooms and a business center to a dining room and rooftop terrace.

See more on EMBA Criteria

Application to the Executive MBA Program

Applying to the Executive MBA program involves both a vetting of your work experience, as well as some of the traditional basics of a graduate program application. Here at SMU Cox, those are:

Completed online application
Resume
Unofficial or official transcripts
One-page essay
A professional recommendation

The Cox Advantage

Executive MBA Curriculum

Cox graduates are equipped with a curriculum anchored in analytical rigor, refined leadership skills to support complex problem solving, and knowledge with practical application gained through hands-on experiential learning. We call this NextGen Curriculum here at the Cox School.

Cox Curriculum
An MBA Degree with Top-Ranked Faculty

Our faculty continues to research and publish in their respective disciplines. You're learning from the best when you come to SMU Cox.

Meet our Faculty
Career Support During Your EMBA

From the moment of your acceptance through your life as an alum, SMU Cox is committed to enriching your career path and creating meaningful connections and opportunities for you.

Learn more about Cox support
Join an Executive Cohort of Diverse & Driven Peers

From Real Estate Club functions to annual Diwali celebrations, find the cohort that fits you and your interests. SMU Cox is a microcosm of many differing types of students.

Find your Student Club
Your Executive MBA and the Global Classroom

You will work across disciplines and tools to understand the nature of the challenge, and how to respond to either protect the company, exploit the opportunity, enhance the strategy, learn from a mistake and iterate, or recover from failure.

A global classroom
Alumni Network of the SMU Cox EMBA: 42k Strong

Once you join SMU Cox, you'll join a forever network - a global one - that aims to lift you up during and after your time here.

See the Network

Executive MBA Courses & Curriculum

As you could imagine, the coursework for our Executive MBA is tailored to the needs of working professionals, C-suite leaders, and those rising in managerial positions. The curriculum and coursework is taught by vetted faculty, endowed by donors and global companies, who put research first.

Some courses you might take include: Managing and Leading People, Data Analytics, Decision Models for Executives, and Valuation and Capital Allocation.

SMU Cox Foundational Pillars

Business Analytics

Data analytics now has a bigger impact on business than ever before. As an Executive MBA candidate you will learn data analytics skills and how to clearly communicate findings to colleagues and management, no matter the industry you are in or pivot into.

Experiential Learning

You will gain hands-on experience by examining the challenges of real companies and applying your own solutions. Our model of experiential learning provides the framework to keep building on the knowledge and skills you acquire over the course of the EMBA program.

Business Leadership

At SMU Cox, we know what it takes to become a well-rounded business leader. From managing cross-functional teams to thinking innovatively, you will hone your business leadership skills for the changing world of work.

Top-Ranked EMBA Program with Career Perks

Join a program that ranks #35 in the nation and leads to a remarkable 84% of EMBA graduates promoted in their roles within a year of graduation.

Cox Executive MBA Program Accreditation

Wondering about the program's credentialing? SMU Cox programs are AACSB-accredited. This means, your degree is credentialed by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Will an Executive MBA help my career? Why get this degree?

The Executive MBA degree is more than a few semesters of classes. The Cox Advantage means that your degree goes beyond the classroom. With pursuing this degree, you get a cohort of peers, numerous networking opportunities (nearly weekly), and access to Centers and Institutes that aid in your professional development. Be it a CMC Networking Mixer, a firmer grasp of data analytics, a Leadership Series talk, or a BLC seminar, you're tapping into so much more than just executive curriculum.

See more offerings through SMU Cox Centers & Institutes

Candid Conversations: Is an EMBA worth it?

We'd say yes. Not just because we house the program, but we see its success outcomes. An 84% promotion rate speaks for itself.

Cost of an Executive MBA

SMU Cox is incredibly transparent about our degree costs. For this degree you can expect:

A separate building for taking your EMBA courses, apart from undergraduates
Classes on Fridays and Saturdays, supporting your working schedule
Multiple meals provided on class days, as well as snack and coffee provided during breaks throughout the day
Courses taught by research-driven faculty or DFW community leaders
Networking mixers
Business leadership seminars
Guest speakers and book club sessions

For these offerings, paired with the SMU Cox reputation, your EMBA costs roughly $134,670 for Fall 2024 entry. Scholarships are offered for both merit and early application.

Review the Financial Aid Resources

Executive MBA With Optional GMAT Waiver

AACSB-Accredited Executive MBA with No GMAT Required

Our accredited program for executives does not require a GMAT. We understand that one's aptitude for the program is not solely based on a test score. As such, other qualifications can help solidify your spot in the SMU Cox EMBA.

Photo of EMBA students in summer immersion

EMBA Global Immersions: International Trips

Immersion trips are a huge part of experiential learning we offer here at SMU Cox. Each degree program takes a trip abroad, exploring other countries, cultures, and how each of these places do business. Some past immersions include South Africa, Dubai, Lisbon, and Singapore.

If you join the Executive MBA at SMU Cox, you're set to take an immersion trip with your cohort in your second year of the program.

Executive MBA Dates and Deadlines

We review applications throughout the year in the order that they are submitted. Rolling admission means the committee will provide you with a decision in about two weeks from the time your online application is submitted. Students are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as they are ready to be in the best position for both admission and scholarships.

All applicants will be evaluated for merit-based scholarships.

Key Dates & Deadlines
Application Deadlines for Enrollment
Deadline	Spring 2025 Entry	Fall 2025 Entry
Early Review*	August 12, 2024	December 9, 2024
Round 1**	September 16, 2024	February 10, 2025
Round 2	October 28, 2024	April 14, 2025
Final	November 22, 2024	June 9, 2025
Applicants who submit their application by the Early Review deadline will automatically receive a $5,000 scholarship if admitted plus be considered for a merit-based scholarship. If you have questions, please contact MBAinfo@smu.edu. *Students who apply by the Round 1 deadline will receive a $2,500 scholarship upon admittance to the program.

A Top Part-Time MBA Program

The degree and its successful alums speaks for itself. The Cox School Executive MBA is top-ranked, has incredible post-graduation promotion rates, and offers value-adds throughout the entirety of the program.

EMBA Degree: Part-Time Program, Full-Time Value

We think it is important to highlight that, though the program is part-time to meet the schedule of an executive, it offers full-time value. Mixers, networking opportunities, seminars, global and domestic trips, and leadership speaker series all contribute to the value of the program. Make no mistake, the Executive MBA is made for executives, but it offers full-time perks.

After Cox: Success Stories

Jason Cochran, EMBA 2018

VP Operations, Chipotle Mexican Grill

Jason Cochran brought his expertise in business operations and national retail management into the Executive MBA classroom, leveraging his experience from a successful career at GameStop. After graduation, Jason took on a new role as the Vice President at Chipotle Mexican Grill. Added bonus: Jason was also named Best EMBA by Poets & Quants.

Bethany Evans, EMBA 2018

Senior Director of Marketing at The North Face

Bethany Evans took all of her experience in brand management and social media marketing at both JCPenney and Southwest Airlines to the Cox Executive MBA Program. As a busy professional, wife and mother – Bethany challenged herself in the program and found time to grow her career. She is now the Senior Director of Marketing at The North Face. Academic Secret Weapon: Marketing Strategy.

Sabari Raja, EMBA 2011

Co-Founder & CEO at Nepris Inc

With an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from India and a Master’s in Computer Science, Sabari Raja joined the educational arm of Texas Instruments as a software developer. Over more than a decade there, her focus shifted to the business side of EdTech, and eventually she decided to enroll at Cox. Today, she presides over Nepris, the innovative multi-award-winning company she co-founded to create virtual connections between classrooms and industry.

How to Apply for the Cox Executive MBA

Ready to apply but not super sure how to do so? walks you through the steps. Or you can reach out to our Admissions team for all the details.

Or if you have a question, we're always up for a chat. Join us for an upcoming event to learn more about all of our MBA programs.

AACSB-Accredited Executive MBA Program at SMU Cox

Request info about the MBA meant for business leaders like you:

What is an Executive MBA degree? Join a group of business leaders like yourself — top minds from a range of industries and disciplines — and hone your management expertise in our modern academic environment.